An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The ozone layer within the stratosphere that filters out potentially lethal intensities of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

Etymology (EN): → ozone; shield, from
O.E. scield, scild, related to sciell “seashell, eggshell,”
from P.Gmc. skeldus (cf. Du. schild, Ger. Schild, Goth. skildus); PIE base (s)kel- “to cut.”

Etymology (PE): Separ “shield,” from Mid.Pers. spar “shield;” cf. Skt. phalaka- “board, lath, leaf, shield,” phálati “(he) splits;” Gk. aspalon “skin, hide,” spolas “flayed skin,” sphalassein “to cleave, to disrupt;” O.H.G. spaltan “to split;” Goth. spilda “board;” PIE base *(s)p(h)el- “to split, to break off;” → ozone.